9:49am: The timing of the Lakers’ decision to releaseDarius Johnson-Odom may have initially seemed odd, considering the club is still in China, writes Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times. However, according to Bresnahan, the Lakers made the move when they did to allow Johnson-Odom to sign with a Chinese team. While it’s not clear yet which club Johnson-Odom will join, he has agreed to terms on a contract worth about $400K, reports Bresnahan.

Johnson-Odom, 24, appeared for just four games for the Lakers last season after being selected in the second round of the 2012 draft. Following his release in January, the former Marquette guard signed with Spartak St. Petersburg in Russia, so he has some experience playing internationally.

According to Bresnahan, Johnson-Odom had been weighing the offer from the unknown Chinese team for about a week, and decided to sign it when the Lakers “strongly suggested” he wouldn’t earn a spot on their regular-season roster.